Golf Club Cleaner

ABSTRACT

One of the prerequisites for performing a good golf shot where the ball gets optimal spin is that the golf club is clean of debris, in friction grooves and striking face. 
     The invention amounts to a brush apparatus to clean the friction grooves and the face of a golf club after the execution of a golf shot. 
     There are requirements to cleaning task done: Effectively so that the desired effect occurs; quickly so the game is not slowed down; and quietly so players are not disturbed. The invention performs cleaning task in accordance with the requirements: 
     The invention is best illustrated in FIG.  1  where the invention main parts contained: Brush  1 , Brush housing  2 , Electronic housing  3  and the golf club  9  default location in the brush housing, for cleaning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the game of golf, when a player hits a golf ball it is customary, and considered to be good practice, for the head of the club to at least partially skim the ground under the ball.

When the surface under the ball is skimmed in this manner debris such as grass and debris are deposited upon the head of the golf club.

One of the prerequisites for performing a good golf shot where the ball gets optimal spin is that the golf club is clean of debris, in friction grooves and striking face. One important factor is that the debris should be cleaned soon after it is deposited so that moist grass or debris will not dry out and thereby become more difficult to remove. Another factor is that it is desirable to remove debris before the club is placed in a receptacle where the debris might fall and collect. Still another factor is that golfers and the operators of golf courses both desire that the club head be cleaned as quickly as possible so that the golfer can quickly move along the golf course.

There are requirements to cleaning task done: Effectively so that the desired effect occurs; quickly so the game is not slowed down; and quietly so players are not disturbed. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need to have a means for golfers to quickly and conveniently clean the heads of golf clubs used during play on a golf course.

The invention performs cleaning task in accordance with the requirements:

The invention is best illustrated in FIG. 1 where the invention main parts contained: Brush 1, Brush housing 2, Electronic housing 3 and the golf club 9 default location in the brush housing, for cleaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a brush apparatus for cleaning golf clubs after a golf stroke, during training, play through the green and for general cleaning. The apparatus, operated by AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current), can be used immobile and mobile.

The apparatus is characterized by a special brush housing formed with a special helical rotating brush. The apparatus is also characterized by an electronic housing where computers operates and controls the brush in work.

The apparatus's characteristics, enables a quiet and perfect cleaning of the golf club head and grooves. The apparatus's attributes allow the cleanser of the golf club head and grooves, without the use of human exertion.

The golf club head is conveyed past the built-in sensors in the brush electronic housing, after which the apparatus's electronics start brush rotation automatically. The particular shape and angle of the brush housing and bristle spiral formation, causes the golf club head automatically pushes in the right position for deep cleaning of the grooves and striking face. The debris is thrown away at the rear of the brush, and collected in a debris container (accessory).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,475 uses a cone-shaped brush. It is necessary to apply strong physical pressure exerted by the user on the club head, in order to provide the necessary friction for cleaning. This is a clear disadvantage in that there is a high risk of bending or damaging the golf club in any other way in the apparatus's opening during use. In addition, the functionality is inhibited by the fact that the user must press the golf club firmly and accurately against the brush in order to achieve an effect. The brush performs superficial cleaning, which is a clear disadvantage since the need for cleaning will not be covered if there is no deep cleaning of the golf club grooves.

It is recommended that this apparatus is used with water. This is a clear disadvantage in that the replacement and replenishment of water is time consuming and requires continuous access to water.

In the invention, there is provided an obtuse-angled tip and brush housing, and a cylindrical shape in which brush bristles are mounted in a spiral formation. It ensures that all power transfer in the interaction between brush housing, brush and club head. The result is an efficient, automatic and safe deep cleaning of the grooves and striking surface, without the risk of damaging the equipment. Unlike existing solutions, the apparatus can be operated effectively by all normally functioning people, without requiring the user's physical abilities.

The apparatus are performing dry cleaning, and thus functions without the use of water or chemicals.

The brush apparatus is designed so that it can be used for both right-handed golf clubs and left handed golf clubs.

In a particular embodiment, the brush housing is prepared in an obtuse-angled tip and dimension that ensures that all of the standard golf clubs will have a proper fit for the cleaning of the entire club head striking face and grooves in one step.

In a particular embodiment, the brush is designed to clean the entire surface of the golf club head in one step, as it rotates and is used in conjunction with claim 2. The individual bristle stiffness and diameter causes the bristles penetrate right into the golf club grooves, whereby the helical design draws the golf club head in the correct position and tension for optimal cleaning of the golf club head grooves.

The invention, designed with a Start/Stop function without physical contact, should check that start is safe and that the stop occurs after a certain operating time or at a specific load. Start function is activated by a magnetic field change when the club head or other type of magnetic material, conveyed past the electronic housing, wherein the sensors are connected to electronic control board of the apparatus, activates the brush motor. The electronic control board is fitted with an overload protection which switches off the motor if, for example a hand pinched during operation. The apparatus is equipped with a timer function so the apparatus stops automatically after a pre-programmed time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows the brush apparatus's main structure

FIG. 2 shows the starting sensors from above

FIG. 3 shows the starting sensors front view

FIG. 4 shows the golf club is introduced into the brush housing

FIG. 5 shows the brush house special angles

FIG. 6 shows universal fit

FIG. 7 shows automatic brush positioning

FIG. 8 shows a horizontal tilt

FIG. 9 shows the vertical tilt

FIG. 10 shows the dissolution of the golf club head

FIG. 11 shows the brush group bristles

FIG. 12 shows the brush-structure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1. Brush Apparatus's Main Structure

The invention generally consists of a specially designed brush 1 placed in a specially designed brush housing 2 which is built with an electronic housing 3 contains a number of technical and electronic features for the operation and management of brush function.

The invention is driven by electric current which is either Alternate Current or Direct Current, determined by the user's selection. This power is distributed by a power supply 4 with a dual function of power choices, either power grid or connection to a battery 8 which is charged by the power supply 4, or externally connected solar panels. To control the power supply 4 and brush apparatus functions for selecting the power source, the invention has a built-in electronic circuit 5 which also has integrated timer function for fixed-term use, as well as an overload protection interrupts operation if a dangerous squeeze situation is evolving.

Invention rotating brush function is driven by a motor 7 with tailored rpm (round per minute) for optimum friction between the specially shaped bristles 11, 24 and the golf club head 9.

The apparatus starts when a piece of magnetic material passed close by the built-in sensors 6. The sensors 6 detects the disturbance of the magnetic field that occurs when a piece of magnetic material is passed through the magnetic field, then a signal is sent to the electronic circuit 5 that translates the signal to a power supply to start the motor 7.

The timer function in electronics PCB 5 cuts power to the engine after a preset period of time.

FIG. 2. Start Sensors from Above

The golf club head kept out side in 10 to the invention built-in magnetic field 6 and the sensors will detect a change in the apparatus's magnetic field and sends the starting and operating current to the invention motor 7.

FIG. 3. is a Front View Start Sensors

The golf club head placed sideways back and forth in front of the apparatus's built-in magnetic field 6 and the sensors will detect a change in the apparatus's magnetic field and sends the starting and operating current to the invention motor 7.

FIG. 4. The golf club is passing into the brush housing Brush rotation 12 counterclockwise right-handed clubs and clockwise for left-handed clubs. When the club head fed into the brush housing 13 draws the rotating brush automatically club head into the right brush position. Ref. also FIG. 7. 19.

FIG. 5. Brush House Special Angles

The cone-shaped brush housing having an internal obtuse angle 14 at the top and an inner acute angle 15 at the bottom. When the cylindrical-shaped core brush, FIG. 11, placed in the brush housing will be two angular 16 between the brush and the brush housing outer walls, where the golf club head is introduced for cleaning. The angular shape ensures that the golf club head can be moved freely for optimum placement within entrapment in the cleaning position.

FIG. 6. Universal Fit

The interaction between the brush housing and brush height, and brush housing angles 14, 15 means that the invention can clean all standard golf clubs where wide-sole clubs operated at the bottom 17 of the brush housing and blade clubs operate at the top 18 in the brush housing.

FIG. 7. Automatic Brush Positioning

Golf thigh introduced at the bottom of the brush housing, and lifted up the rotating brush grips 19 in the club head. The helical formation of the brush pulls the golf club into and up into the brush housing so that the club head wedged between the brush and the brush housing. This means that the user does not need to use special physical strength to achieve a brushing effect, and that the brush function becomes sufficiently strong to clean the depth of the golf club head striking face and grooves.

FIG. 8. Horizontal Tilt

Golf clubs with particularly long club heads that are longer than the brush diameter is cleaned across the golf club surface and in all grooves by the user makes a horizontal tilt with golf club shaft 20. The lower part of golf club shaft rests against the brush housing 2 the upper edge, which is covered with a protective material, after which a horizontal tilt can be applied to the lever principle, without damaging neither shaft or brush housing.

FIG. 9. Vertical Tilt

Golf Clubs with the dried soil must have a more powerful brush pressure than the pressure generated by the automatic brushing effect of the invention—Ref. FIG. 7. 19. Brush house special cone shape—Ref. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7—causes the user to apply the principle of the lever to carry out a vertical tilt 21 with golf club shaft, so there is a stronger pressure on the club head. This will clean the golf club head and grooves effectively.

FIG. 10. Releasing the Golf Club Head

After completing the cleaning of the golf club head and the grooves, the user performs a light downward pressure 22 on the golf club shaft so that the club head is released from its wedged position in the brush housing and can be then fed out of the apparatus 23.

FIG. 11. Brush Group Bristles

Brush particular design, consists of a series of bristle groups of the individual bristles 24. The individual bristles are dimensioned so that they have strength as well as flexibility to fully penetrate into the friction grooves for optimum purification.

FIG. 12. Brush

The brush consists of a solid core 29 which is punched a quantity of holes for mounting a number of brush groups referred to FIG. 11. The punched holes are made in a spiral formation 26 so that the brush achieves its special characteristics forcing an upward movement of the golf club head when it comes to the spread between the brush and the brush housing outer wall. 19 In brush core center is drilled a hole 25 in which the shaft 30 secured by a spindle screw 27 Thus, the brush is fixed at the top of the brush housing.

In the center of the bottom of the brush core is drilled a hole 28 for use by the motor shaft 32 which is clamped with a spindle screw 27. Motor shaft hole is also a siphon, as fitting a sleeve 31 with a sealing ring 33 from the underside of the motor housing 3, and up through brush core center 28. The sophon prevents water penetration from the brush side and down into the engine.

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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1. Brush Apparatus for cleaning golf clubs, comprising a rotating cylindrical brush 1 with the vertical axis of rotation and with a bristle 24 arranged in a spiral formation, as well as a brush housing 2 having an internal obtuse angle 14 at the top and an inner acute angle 15 at the bottom, forming at least one wedge-5 shaped space 16 between the brush and the brush housing.
 2. Brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the brush housing is trapezoidal.
 3. Brush according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that each bristle group 24 consisting of a number of individual bristles.
 4. Brush according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized in automatic start operation by use of the Hall effect phenomenon occurring in the interaction 15 between the electric current and a magnetic field. 